Lol. I always wanted a Zohorna/Boyle/Angello line. Or Zohorna/Carter/Angello. Or last year Zohorna/Gaudreau/Angello. Just for the size. But I like your idea better. Nichushkin might get more than 3M per though.

Although, I’m betting Rust gets 5.5(same as Hyman), Geno 7.5M, Letang 7M, Heinen 2-2.25M, Erod 1.75M-2M. ZAR-1.75-2M, Kappy-3M-3.25M.

I think they are going to let Rust walk at that point.

This team has too many cap issues next year to do that.
Jarry, Dumo, and Blueger are all due the year after.
Frankly, that is going to have more of an impact on the team than Rust.
At 30, we got the best years out of him. I don't think anyone can deny that. If the cost is 6 x 5 he'll probably be gone.
I'm ok with that, as long as we can resign Jarry and Dumo. As a 1LD and a solid goalie are much harder to find.

I think they can keep the most valuable pieces of this roster together, starting this offseason with Malkin, Rust and Letang.

Trying to find a player like Rust on the open market is going to cost more than whatever he asks for this season. Who cares if he has negative value at the end of his deal? That's just the way it is.

I do think it's important to consider Jarry, Dumo and Blueger the following seasons - but I don't think they're positioned nearly as well unless they get Malkin, Rust and Letang resigned.

Having said that, I think Malkin is the main factor on positively positioning the team to stay together over the coming years. I don't expect a massive discount from him, but even a 1M to 2M difference in cap hit could retain Dumo.

Anyway, lots of conjecture - the point is they have to succeed in roster construction this year before you can project their team the following season - and that starts with Malkin, Letang and Rust.

eh, a 1LD is more important than a RW.

Teams build down the middle.

I don't think your take here is really solid.
Fact is Rust is gonna get 7 years. Just like Hyman who was 1 year younger did.
You can say the extra years don't matter, but come on. Especially on a guy who's injured a lot.
I like Rusty he's a good player but when the deal comes at 6x7, they should move on.

I see your point and also see how the the end of the deal will most likely look like nonsense.

My thought process is - Rust gives them the best chance to win a cup in the next three years. I don't know how they extend the winning window much further past that no matter how you cut it. I think a 6 x 6 deal is a general baseline for what he'll get. You're right though, it's not unreasonable to suggest he'll want a 7th year.

Also, what are the alternatives for next year if not Rust? (I'm literally asking, not trolling) It feels like they should go with the devil they know in Rust, instead of bringing someone in to see how they fit.

Maybe a better question is - what does Dumo's next contract look like? Because he'll essentially be in the same position as Rust, around 30 years old looking for a pay day.

I have no idea what they do with RW next year. there are options, but truth is, Hextall has found steals in production. Heinen, McGinn.
So I'm not surprised if he goes out the box there.
Dumo is even worse than Rust. He'll be 32 going into that deal. But at least at 32 he knows no one is going to sign him to 39.
It could be they let him walk. Really hard to replace a 1LD. But they may go MP, Matheson, POJ on the LD.
Because Dumo is probably getting paid in the 6-7 range.

Yea, that's what I was thinking - he's gonna want 6 to 7M.

I think that line up of LD you listed could work - always hard to say so far out.

It'd be great if they could hit on some future draft picks like they did with Letang and Guentzal .

Do you know who Tankov is?
he was a low round pick but he's looked like fire in Russia.
But Russian players are always hit or miss.
But I think if they are going to find a gem he might be it.

Looking at him now.. be great to see that continue into the KHL *blindly hopes for defenseman version of Kaprizov*

Lol. I’m a Tankov fan. But hear we go again. 1st josh Maniscalco. J.Maniscalco is gonna be the teams 3rd pairing RHD last season. Then Judd Caulfield(winning a roster spot this season). Now Tankov.

I like Tankov, but he’s 19 years old still. Judd Caulfield as well. But he’s still a Junior.

And Ohh ya, E-Rod sucks according to u and your take. And same with Jeff Carter. You hated the Jeff Carter trade..lol. I love your takes.

Tankov playing RW next season..lol. He’s a 7th round pick and 19 years old; and u want him being a top line RW replacing Rust; playing on a 1st place/play-off team; and hasnt even played in the US yet(or even the KHL for that matter; he’s still in Russia’s Junior league). He’s got a long way to go.

no one said he'd be playing next season.
Caulfield is still a solid player who should be signed this year so they don't lose him.
get over yourself maybe?

Lol. Caulfield is a Junior. Pens own his rights till August of 2023(when his Senior season ends). He’ll play his Senior year at North Dakota.

Maniscalco is a stud. Will win the 3rd pairing RHD spot..lol. E-Rod sucks; needs to be benched..lol. The Jeff Carter trade was bad. He’s too old…lol. Judd Caulfield will win a roster spot this season..lol. Don’t get mad. Just find your outrageous; and always very wrong takes funny. And Tankov is just in Juniors in Russia. Isn’t even in the KHL yet.

jesus you have no brain. If I guy plays his senior year, he's very likely to sign elsewhere as he becomes a UFA after 4 years.
You done, your arguments are so poor